Post by pitbull on Feb 6, 2006 9:53:33 GMT -5
If the previous six guidelines have been met, the next one will automatically be met. What is it? I believe the Bible teaches that Christian music should feed the spirit — not the flesh. Why? We need to remember that the Christian life is a spiritual life. Consider the following three Biblical points that support that concept:
1. A Christian is born-again of the Spirit.
· “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” [John 3:6-7]
2. A Christian is to walk in the Spirit:
· “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” [Galatians 5:16]
3. God is a Spirit — and you "MUST worship him in spirit".
· “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him MUST worship him in spirit and in truth.” [John 4:24]
Hence a Christian's music should be spiritual — not carnal.
· “I will sing with the SPIRIT, and I will sing with the understanding also.” [1 Cor 14:15]
When I was younger, spiritually immature, and Biblically illiterate, I used to make the following argument to justify myself: "The Bible doesn't give ANY guidelines for Christian music. It's all a matter of TASTE and PREFERENCE". Then I read Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 [apparently it's important enough to the Lord to list them twice], and God began to open my eyes to encourage me to see what else the Bible said about music. The fact that music is supposed to feed the spirit was the first guideline I learned, but I list it as number 7 since it is the consequence of obeying the previous 6.
· “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and SPIRITUAL songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” [Ephesians 5:19]
· “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and SPIRITUAL songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” [Colossians 3:16]
A Christian has "crucified the FLESH".
· "And they that are Christ's have crucified the FLESH with the affections and lusts." [Galatians 5:24]
The SPIRIT and the FLESH are contrary and opposite. They are enemies.
· "For the FLESH lusteth against the SPIRIT, and the SPIRIT against the FLESH: and these are contrary the one to the other..." [Galatians 5: 16]
You cannot have music that feeds both the spirit and the flesh – it can only feed one or the other. This is why I think it couldn't be clearer — Christian music should feed the SPIRIT — NOT THE FLESH. If I am wrong, please cite the passages for me.
1. A Christian is born-again of the Spirit.
· “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” [John 3:6-7]
2. A Christian is to walk in the Spirit:
· “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” [Galatians 5:16]
3. God is a Spirit — and you "MUST worship him in spirit".
· “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him MUST worship him in spirit and in truth.” [John 4:24]
Hence a Christian's music should be spiritual — not carnal.
· “I will sing with the SPIRIT, and I will sing with the understanding also.” [1 Cor 14:15]
When I was younger, spiritually immature, and Biblically illiterate, I used to make the following argument to justify myself: "The Bible doesn't give ANY guidelines for Christian music. It's all a matter of TASTE and PREFERENCE". Then I read Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 [apparently it's important enough to the Lord to list them twice], and God began to open my eyes to encourage me to see what else the Bible said about music. The fact that music is supposed to feed the spirit was the first guideline I learned, but I list it as number 7 since it is the consequence of obeying the previous 6.
· “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and SPIRITUAL songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” [Ephesians 5:19]
· “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and SPIRITUAL songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” [Colossians 3:16]
A Christian has "crucified the FLESH".
· "And they that are Christ's have crucified the FLESH with the affections and lusts." [Galatians 5:24]
The SPIRIT and the FLESH are contrary and opposite. They are enemies.
· "For the FLESH lusteth against the SPIRIT, and the SPIRIT against the FLESH: and these are contrary the one to the other..." [Galatians 5: 16]
You cannot have music that feeds both the spirit and the flesh – it can only feed one or the other. This is why I think it couldn't be clearer — Christian music should feed the SPIRIT — NOT THE FLESH. If I am wrong, please cite the passages for me.